WAY TO HAPPINESS

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WAY TO HAPPINESS

"A man ought to enjoy whatever God bestows on him in the firm belief, that as He

pervades everything, whatever is bestowed on him by God must be good." -Sri Sai

Satcharitra, chapter XX.

In a small village in the valley, there lived a man who was always happy, kind,

and well disposed to everyone he met. He always smiled and had a kind and

encouraging word to say whenever necessary. Everyone who met him left feeling,

better, happier and elated. People knew they could count on him, and regarded

him as a great friend.

One of the village dwellers was curious to know what his secret was, how could

he be always so kind and helpful? How is it that he held no grudge towards

anyone and was always happy?

Once, upon meeting him in the street he asked him: "Most people are selfish and

unsatisfied. They do not smile as often as they do; neither are they as helpful

or kind as you are. How do you explain it?"

"When you make peace with yourself, then you can be at peace with the rest of

the world. If you can recognize spirit in yourself, you can recognize the

spirit in everyone, and then you find it natural to be kind and well disposed

to all. If your thoughts are under your control you become strong and firm. The

outer mask of the personality is like a robot programmed to do certain tasks.

Your habits and thoughts are the programs. Be free from these programs and then

the inner good that resides in you will be revealed."

"But a lot of work is necessary. Good habits have to be developed. The ability

to concentrate and to control the thoughts has to be strengthened. The work is

difficult and endless. There are many walls that need to be climbed. It is not

an easy task, " lamented the villager.

"Do not think about the difficulties, otherwise that is what you will see and

experience. Just quieten your feelings and thoughts and try to stay in this

peace. All the abilities and powers awaken spontaneously. You do not work on

them directly. They are by-products of your peace of mind. Just try to be calm

and do not let yourself be carried away by your thoughts."

"Is that all?" asked the villager.

"Try to watch your thoughts and see how they come and go. Stay in the quietness

that arises therefrom. The moments of peace will be brief at first, but in time

they will get longer. This peace is also strength, power, kindness, and love.

When you realize that you are one with the Universal Power, you begin to act

from a different dimension, not from the selfish, small limited ego."

"I will try to remember your words," said the villager and continued, "There is

another thing that I am curious about. You do not seem to be influenced by the

environment. You have a kind word for everyone and are helpful. Yet people do

not exploit your goodness, and they treat you well."

"Goodness and being kind do not necessarily point to weakness. When you are good

you can also be strong. People sense your strength and do not impose on you.

When you are strong and calm inside, you help people because you can and you

want to. You then act from strength and not from weakness. Goodness can also go

with power and strength, it is not a sign of weakness as some people erroneously

think."

"Thank you very much for your advice," said the villager and went away happy and satisfied.

(Ramez Sasson in East and West Series, May 2004)

 

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